Sunday Olugbenga Abire
“The result was that I, who had at first been full of eagerness for a public career, as I gazed upon the whirlpool of public life and saw the incessant movement of shifting currents, at last felt dizzy… And finally saw clearly in regard to all states now existing that without exception their system of government is bad. Their constitutions are almost beyond redemption except through some miraculous plan accompanied by good luck”
The aristocratic revolt of the Thirty which was primarily orchestrated to end aristocratic oligarchy while establishing participatory democracy proved its unfitness in the unfortunate execution of Socrates. At that point, Plato watched helplessly how democracy sinned against itself. The man who had envisaged a robust career in politics felt dizzy by what he called shifting currents. He even condemned that all systems of government were bad. He panned out. He lost his energy.
Bad things have happened before. Whenever we are faced with the blessedness of the curses of democracy, our reactions differ. We either tear down or build in pains. It’s what pundits cleverly refer to as ‘Party Supremacy’. It is a bitter pill. Very very bitter to swallow. Only patriots with thick political skin remain unmoved whenever the doctrine of party supremacy is invoked.
The primary election of the APC has come and gone. Like in every democratic contest, discordant tunes would rise. But Hon. Donald Ojogo, a Member of the House of Representatives, representing the people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency has given us a beautiful template to weather this storm. I cherish Hon Ojogo’s sincerity in actions and thoughts. He openly identified with his choice without bad blood. He was unequivocal. He didn’t even hide his reasons. For him, it was a time to repay good with good. That’s exemplary. That’s honourable. Kudos to the MHR.
Hon Ojogo, like Governor Aiyedatiwa, tasted both the good and the bad sides of party politics. Since 2015, Governor Aiyedatiwa had tried without luck. In fact, his quest climaxed in 2019 that even the party at the state felt Governor Aiyedatiwa should fly to the NASS under the Action Alliance (AA). It is on record that Governor Aiyedatiwa promptly rejected that offer and declined working against his party. Few years later, the same party gave him a platform to be Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
What if he had wrecked the chances of his party out of anger? What if he had followed his agitation? What if he had lost faith in the system? There is no perfect system anywhere in the world. Even in the supposed civilized climes, there are issues. What we have is a perfect time for everyone. Like Hon Ojogo has admonished, it’s time to unite while we see the bigger picture in the fulfillment of everyone’s dream at different times. This party, by all standards and in concomitant with the faithful donation of our collective energy, all members will realize their ambitions in due time.
There is no winner or loser in the just concluded primary election. The party and its teeming members have spoken. But it must be re-echoed that supporters of other aspirants cannot be lightly esteemed. They are not conquered members. They are significant, beneficial and invaluable.
However, we must reiterate that Governor Aiyedatiwa doesn’t just represent inclusivity in nomenclature alone but in actions. He is not here to create an empire for himself. He is sensitive to the plights of others. And he will lead with the fear of God.
I join Hon Ojogo to appeal to all members and leaders of APC who might be aggrieved to allow this dust settle. We do not have any other platform we can call our own. Whatever that had transpired in the past should be behind us. Interestingly, the late Aketi called these things ‘ìbon òsèlú’. They are harmless. They are mere accoutrements of funny politics. The future is green and that’s what matters. Our party has all it takes to give everyone a chance to excel.
Peoplesmind
